US aims to improve access to clean water in South Sudan
March 24, 2013 (LONDON) – The United States said Sunday, the day after World World Day, that it is committed to to increase the number of South Sudanese who have access to clean water and sanitation.
Only 34% of South Sudanese have access to clean water according to statistics from South Sudan’s ministry of water resources and irrigation, leading to various dangerous diseases such as diarrhea that can lead to death, especially among vulnerable groups.
The issue of access to clean water was tragically illustrated by Cholera outbreaks in Juba in 2006 and 2007.
The US Ambassador to South Sudan, Susan Page said that her country was committed to helping all South Sudanese “to have access to clean, safe drinking water.”
However, she added that “clean water is not enough” and that people needed to “observe good hygiene and sanitation to ensure that each of us, our families, and our fellow citizens have better that includes access to safe water, which is one of our most basic human rights.”
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has spent $33.8 million on programmes address water and sanitation issues in South Sudan over the last two years.
The projects have included improving the infrastructure in South Sudan’s main towns, Juba, Wau and Malakal.
(ST)